Car-loader.



No. 870,115. PATENTED NOV. 5, 19.07

- W. S. MAYERS.

UAR LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.9 1906.

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No. 870.115. PATENTED NOV. 5, 1907. w. s. MAYERS;

GAR LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED 0012.9,1905.

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No. 870,115. Y ,IPATENTED NOV. 5, 1907 W. s. MAYBRS.

CAR LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED 00m, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILBUR S. MAYERS, OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO FAIRMONT BOX CAR LOADER COMPANY, OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

CAR-LOADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUR S. Marlins, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairmont, in the county of Marion and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (Jar-Loaders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to box car loaders, it pertaining particularly to that type of loader in which the material to be distributed within the car is received within a casing introduced into the car and from it distributed to either end of the car by means of a rotary heater or shovel within the casing.

An object of the invention is to provide power driven devices for adjusting the material receiving casing within the car, the devices for controlling said power actuating devices being preferably located exteriorly of the car and within easy reach of the operator.

A further object is to provide power transmitting devices interposed between a motor on the carriage carrying the said material receiving casing and supporting wheels for the said carriage and adapted to control the forward and backward travel of the carriage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for feeding the material to be distributed in the car to a casing within the car, said means being adapted to advance the material to the said casing in charges of substantially uniform quantity or in other words to cause the material to enter the casing in a stream of substantially uniform flow in order to avoid choking or clogging the rotary shovel within the casing.

Further objects of my invention will be disclosed from the following dcscription of a car loader embodying my improvements which I have chosen for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a side elevation of a box car loader embodying my improvements, it being shown outside of a car, a portion of which is illustrated in cross section. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the loader introduced into the car. the car being shown in horizontal cross section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a feeder for the coal. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in section of a portion of the power transmitting dcviccs for adjusting the casing within the car. Figs. (5, 7 and S are detail views.

In the drawings A indicates as an entirety a box car loader supported on a trackway A arranged adjacent to a railway track and preferably at right angles thereto, the loader being adapted to travel forward and back along the trackway A in order to introduce its material distributing device 1 2 into the car and to withdraw it therc form.

B represents a box car, and O represents as an entirety a feeder mechanism for directing material to the distributing mechanism A Within the casein charges substantially uniform in quantity or in a stream of substantially uniform flow.

I indicates the carriage of the loader A. It comprises a framework 1 of any suitable construction supported on a number of track wheels 1, 1. 2 is a motoron the said carriage, preferably arranged at the rear end thereof, and having the axis of its armature shaft in the central longitudinal plane of the carriage. 3 is a controller for the motor also arranged at the rear end of the carriage.

4 indicates as an entirety a casing mounted at the front end of the carriage. This casing preferably consists of a front annular end plate or wall 4, a rear end wall or plate 4 having a rearwardly extending sleeve or hub 4 and the cylinder or cylindrical sheathing 4 arranged between said end walls and secured at its edges thereto. This cylindrical wall 4 of the casing has an opening 4 therethrough for the escape'of material from the casing which enters through the opening in the annular end Wall 4 thereof.

5 is a rotary shovel or heater arranged within the casing 4 and adapted to direct the material delivered to the interior of the casing out through the opening 4 and to distribute it Within the car. This rotary shovel may be of any suitable or preferred type.

6 indicates a drive shaft rigidly secured at its front end to the rotary shovel 5' and connected at its rear end through a universal joint 6 with the front end of the armature shaft of the motor, the axes of these shafts being in longitudinal alinement With each other. This drive shaft 6 extends through the rearwardly turned sleeve 4 of the casing head 4 and is preferably separated therefrom by means of a bushing 7 the sleeve or hub 4 and the casing 4 being adapted to rotate about the axis of the shaft 6 independently of the said shaft in order to present the opening 4 of the casing in dif- 'ferent positions to secure the desired distribution of material Within the car. The hub 4 of the casing 4 is loosely mounted within a bearing 8 carried by a standard 9 secured at the front end of the carriage. The front end wall of this bearing preferablyabuts against the rear face of the end wall 4* of the casing.

10 is a collar detachably secured to the rear end of the hub 4 and adapted to secure the mounting of the casing 4 in the bearing 8.

11 is an internal gear secured to or formed integral with the rear end or head 4 of the casing and arranged concentric with the axis of the drive shaft 6.

12 is a standard rigidly secured to the carriage and having a bearing 13 for the drive shaft 6.

14- is an adjusting" shaft for the casing 4. Preferably it is arranged above the drive shaft 6 and parallel thereto. Near its front end it is mounted in a projection or lug 8 extending upwardly from the bearing 8, and near its rear end it is mounted in a projection or lug 13 extending upwardly from the bearing 13.

15 is a pinion rigidly secured to the front end of the casing adjusting shaft 14 and adapted to-mesh with the internal gear 11.

Power may be applied for rotating the shaft 14 to adjust the casing 4 in any well known manner, either manually or mechanically. I prefer however to operate the shaft 14 mechanically in view of the power necessary to quickly and efficiently-adjust large and heavy casings of this type.

In the drawings 16 indicates as an entirety a train of power transmitting devices interposed between the shovel drive shaft 6 and the casing actuating shaft 14. Of this train of power transmitting devices 17 represents a spur gear rigidly secured to the drive shaft 6 in the rear of the bearing 13. 18 indicates a friction wheel or gear rigidly secured to the shaft 14 in front of the said bearing 13.

19 indicates a rocking or vibratable frame having the end plates 19, 19 arranged at either side of the bearing 13 and loosely mounted upon the drive shaft 6, these end plates being connected by a top cross plate 19 which extends from one side of the frame to the other and at its center clears the top of the projection 13 on the bearing 13.

20 is a countershaft arranged parallel with the shafts 6 and 14 loosely mounted in the rocking frame 19 at one side and near the top thereof and having its ends extending beyond the end walls 19 of the said frame.

21 is a spur gear secured to the rear end of the shaft 20 and arranged to mesh with the gear 17 on the shaft 6. 22 is a spur gear preferably similar in size to the spur gear 21 and rigidly secured to the shaft 20 between the said spur gear 21 and the rear end wall 19 of the rocking frame.

23 is a friction wheel or pinion secured to the front end of the shaft 20 and arranged to have its periphery engage with the periphery of the friction wheel 18 when the rocking frame 19 is thrown in one direction.

24 is a countershaft mounted similarly to the shaft 20 but at the opposite side of the rocking frame 19. The ends of the shaft 24 also extend beyond the end walls of the said rocking frame and the rear end has secured to it the gear wheel 25 arranged to mesh with the gear wheel 22 on the shaft 20.

26 is a friction pulley 0r wheel rigidly secured front end of the shaft 24 and adapted to engage with the friction wheel 18 on the shaft 14 when the rocking frame 19 is thrown in the opposite direction to that which causes the engagement between the friction wheel 23 and the friction wheel 18. h

27 indicates as an entirety hand operated means for controlling the rocking frame 19. It comprises a stud or shaft 28 carried by the projection 1.3 and having its axis in the vertical longitudinal plane of the shafts 14. and 6. This stud or shaft 28 projects upwardly through an opening 19 in the top wall 19 of the rocking frame, the walls of which opening are eccentric to the axis of the said stud or shaft and are preferably concave as in dicated to receive an eccentric 28 having its peripheral walls convex as indicated at 28. This eccentric is formed integral with or secured to a lever arm 29 loosely to the mounted on the stud 28. This lever may be held against vertical detachment by means of a set screw 30 having a reduced inner end 31 adapted, to enter a groove 28 in the upper end of the stud 28.

32 indicates as an entirety a train of power transmitting devices interposed between the motor and the carriage running gear adapted to effect the forward and backward travel of the carrier. Of this train of power transmitting devices, 33 indicates a bevel drive gear feathered or splined to the drive shaft 6 and adapted for longitudinal movement forward and back thereon.

33 is a sleeve rigidly secured to the bevel gear 33, extending rearward therefrom and having at its rear end a flange or collar 33.

34' is a vertical shaft mounted in a bearing standard 35 on the carriage frame and having its axis in the vertical longitudinal plane of the axis of the drive shaft 6.

36 is a bevel gear rigidly secured to the upper end of the shaft 34 and adapted to be engaged by the bevel drive wheel 33.

37 is a worm rigidly secured to the lower end of the shaft 34 and 38 is a worm wheel rigidly secured to the axle of the front carriage supporting wheel 1 and arranged to mesh with the worm 37.

39 indicates the means for shifting the drive wheel 33. It comprises an eccentric 39 loosely mounted on the upper end of the shaft 34 and arranged to have its periphery engage with the rear vertical face of the drive wheel 33 to shift the said wheel out of engagement with the wheel 36, and to engage with the front face of the flange 33 to shift the said drive wheel into engagement with the driven wheel 36, 39 being a hand lever for effecting the movement of the said eccentric.

In order to cause the carriage to travel forward the motor is set into operation so as to turn the shaft 6 in one direction and then the operator grasps the handle 39 and throws the gear 33 into operative engagement with the gear 36. The carriage will then travel forward introducing the casing 4 into proper working position in the car, at which point the lever 39 is shifted to throw the gear 33 into inactive position relative to the driven wheel 36. To withdraw the casing 4 from the car, the motor is rotated in the opposite direction and then the engagement of the carriage actuating gearing effected in the same manner as above set forth.

In the loading or distributing of coal within a box car by means of a rotary shovel operating within a receiving cylinder or casing, I have found it essential to provide means for regulating the flow of coal to the casing. The reason for this will be readily apparent when consideration is taken of the unevenness in size of the pieces of material to be distributed, the lack of uniformity of the charges which are delivered to a tipple by the coal cars, and the dangers which arise from allowing large and heavy masses of coal to flow down upon or into the distributing casing within the car with considerable velocity and with successive impacts. To obviate this I have provided a feeder which is adapted to regulate the flow of coal received by it so as to deliver it to the casing within the car in a stream of substantially uniform thickness and in charges of uniform quantity the feeder being adapted to automatically adjust itself to great irregularity in the sizes of the pieces of coal traveling through it.

40 indicates the feeder trough or chute, it being preferably inclined to the horizontal and adapted to receive at its upper end the coal to be distributed within the car. This chute or trough is arranged preferably en tirely outside of the car and has an adjustable extension or supplemental chute 41 adapted to be interposed between its lower end and the casing 4 within the car. This supplemental chute 41 is adjustable both relative to the casing within the car and to the chute 40, this adjustment being accomplished in any suitable manner. The chute 40 is preferably mounted rigidly in position upon a framework 40, but may be arranged to swing up and down about a horizontal axis if desired.

42 indicates as an entirety mechanism arranged both to retard the downward flow of coal within the chute 40 and to regulate and measure the charges of coal delivered from the said chute to the supplemental chute 41. This mechanism 42 is preferably formed in two parts, the one, 42, being adapted to both regulate and measure the charges or flow of material from the chute 40 and the other, 42, being adapted first to entirely cut off the flow of coal and second to retard the downward flow of the coal within the chute toward the said charge and flow regulator 42 and to prevent the latter from being stalled by too great aquantity of coal rushing down through the chute 40 and clogging it.

The charge or flow regulator 42 comprises a pair of verse shaft 44, supported in bearings 45, 46 secured in position at either side of the said chute 40.

47 are brackets or supports secured to the sides of. the

chute 40 near the lower ends thereof and adapted to be engaged by and to support the lower ends of the bars 43.

48 is a transverse shaft loosely mounted in bearings near the lower ends of the said parallel bars 43.

49 indicates a series of spiders, each spider of the series being separately formed and detachably secured in position upon the shaft 48, by means of set screws 49, so that the arms of any one spider may be arranged in any desired relation to the arms of any other spider or spiders.

50 1's a sprocket wheel secured to one end of the shaft 48. 51 is a sprocket wheel in al inement therewith and secured to the shaft 44. 52 is a chain connecting the said sprocket wheels.

53 is a gear wheel rigidly secured to the shaft 44 and meshing with the pinion 54 on the shaft 55, which shaft maybe driven in any suitable way from any well known source of power.

The part 42 of the feeding mechanism comprises the parallel bars 56 ar ranged near either side of the chute 40 and likewise loosely mounted at their upper ends on the shaft 44, and also the gate or retarding plate 57 arranged transversely of the chute 40 and secured to the lower ends of the said parallel bars 56. The position of the lower end of this gate relative to the bottom of the chute 40 and also relative to the normal position of the spiders 49 may be adjusted in any suitable manner so as to permit the part 42 to vibrate about the axis of the shaft 44. l have indicated for this purpose ropes 58 attached to the front ends of the bars 56 and adapted to support them in the position desired. The gate 57 serves to prevent large masses of coal rushing down upon the spiders 49 and so clogging this part of the mechanism as to stop the rotation of the shaft 48. In the event of an unusually large lump of coal reaching the spiders 49 these elements will automatically swing upwardly about the axis of the shaft 44 to allow the said lump to pass on to the casing 4 within the car, and when it has passed these devices each will immediately accommo date itself to its normal position.

As shown in the drawings the series of spiders may be so adjusted as to have their arms form a series of feed elements or coal receiving and delivering pockets, each of which is adapted to allow practically only a certain amount of coal to enter it and then to advance or permit the advance of this amount or charge of coal to the supplemental chute 41 so as to insure substantial uniformity in the flow of coal between the chute 40 and the chute 41 when the mechanism is in operation.

When a car is to be loaded it is positioned so that the loader carriage may enter through one of its side doors and the chute 41 through the opposite side door. he loader carriage is then run forward in the manner heretofore described until the casing 4 is in substantially the longitudinal center of the car. The chute 41 is then positioned so as to direct the coal through the end 4 of the casing and the casing is then adjusted so as to have its opening 4 for the distribution of coal so directed as to cause the rotary shovel to distribute the coal at one end of the car. This adjustment of the casing is offected by the operator shifting the lever 29 so as to cause the engagement of one of the friction wheels 23 or 26 and the friction gear wheel 18 on the shaft 14. Then the shaft 48 is caused to rotate and coal supplied to the chute 40. When one end of the car has been loaded, the operator throws the lever 29 so as to cause the engagement of one of the friction gears 23 or 26 and the friction wheel 18 which will cause the rotation of the shaft 14 and the casing 4 in such manner as to most quickly direct the opening 4 of the casing toward the opposite end of the car.

It will be noted that owing to the arrangement of the gearing on the rocking frame 19 the friction pulley 23 is driven in one direction and the friction pulley 26 in the other, and that in order to make either of these gears operately engage, and drive the pulley 18, power must be applied through the lever 29 to effect such driving en gagement. After the operator has thus, by means of lever 29 and eccentric 28 thrown the rocking frame 19 in one direction or the other and caused a partial rotation of the casing 4, he throws the lever and ccccnti ic to such position that the engagement of the frictional wheel 18 a nd the driving friction pinion ceases and this releasing movement of the eccentric is utilized to lock the pinion 18 in position. It will be seen upon examining Fig. 1 that there is a clearance or open space between the side plates 19 and the standard or bearing 13 and consequently the swinging frame not only can rock in planes transverse to the axis of the shaft 6, but can also move slightly longitudinally thereof, and movements of both sorts are caused by the eccentric 28 As it is brought to its central position it moves the frame 19 somewhat forward and presses its front plate 19 against the friction wheel 18, this occurring, stated, after the frame has been moved in such way as to release the driving friction wheel. When the frame plate and the friction wheel 18 are thus bound together frictionally the casing will be yieldingly locked in its adjusted position, and will be held in such position with sufficient firmness under ordinary conditions, but if at any time an obstruction should seat itself between the rotary shovel blades and the casing, or if from any other cause there should be an undesirably powerful resistance to the rotation of the shovel, the latter instead of being broken will cause the rotation of the casing which, as will be seen, is held in position only by the friction exerted upon the wheel l8.

I am aware of the fact that it has been proposed heretofore to mount concentrically the driving shaft and the actuating shaft for the casing of a box car loader of the type herein shown, but I find advantages incident to the construction herein shown in which a shaft for actuating the casing is arranged parallel to the shovel driving shaft.

What. I claim is 1. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing and a rotary shovel therein, of a power shaft for re tating the said shovel, a casing actuating shaft arranged parallel to said power shaft, power transmitting devices between said casing actuating shaft and the said power shaft. and means for actuating said power shaft.

2. In a box car leader, the combination of a rotatable casing, a rotary shovel within said casing, a rotary drive shaft for the shovel, a casing actuating shaft having its axis eccentric to the axis of said drive shaft, power transmitting means interposed between the said casing actuating shaft and the casing, and means for turning in either direction said casing actuating shaft.

3. In a box car leader, the combination with a rotatable casing adapted to receive material. and a rotary shovel within the casing adapted to distribute the material, of a drive shaft for the said shovel, a casing adjusting shaft, power transmitting means interposed between said casing adjusting shaft and said casing, and power transmitting means interposed between said casing shaft and said drive shaft.

4. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing adapted to receive material, and a rotary shovel within the casing adapted to distribute the material, of a drive shaft for the said .shovel, a casing adjusting shaft, power transmitting means interposed between said casing adjusting shaftand said casing, power transmitting means interposed between said casing shaft and said drive shaft, and means for throwing into and out of operation said last described power transmitting means operable from a point outside of the car when the casing is in working position within the car.

5. In a box car leader, the combination with a casing adapted to receive material, and a rotary shovel within the casing adapted to distribute material, of means for rotating said shovel, means for rotating said casing, and power transmitting devices interposed between said shovel rotating means and said casing rotating means.

(i. In a box car loader, the combination with a casing adapted to receive material, and a rotary shovel Within the casing adapted to distribute material, of means for rotating said shovel, means for rotating said casing, power transmitting devices interposed between said shovel rotating means and said casing rotating means, and means for controlling the operation of said power transmitting means operable from a point without the car when said casing is in working position within the car.

7. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing, and a rotary shovel within the casing, of a drive shaft for the said shovel, an actuating shaft for the said casing, and power transmitting devices interposed between said drive shaft and said casing actuating shaft adapted to rotate said casing actuating shaft.

8. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing, and a rotary shovel within the casing, of a drive shaft for the said shovel, a casing actuating shaft parallel to said drive shaft and connected with said casing, and power transmitting devices interposed between said drive shaft and said casing actuating shaft adapted to rotate said casing actuating shaft.

,9. In a box car leader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a drive shaft for the shovel, a casing actuating shaft connected with said casing and friction driving devices interposed between said driving shaft and said casing actuating shaft.

10. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a drive shaft for the shovel, a casing actuating shaft connected with said casing and friction driving devices interposed between said driving shaft and said casing actuating shaft and adapted to rotate said casing actuating shaft in either direction.

11. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a drive shaft for the said shovel, a motor for actuating said drive shaft, a casing actuating shaft, means connecting said casing actuating shaft with said casing, and power transmitting means interposed between said motor and said casing actuating shaft.

12. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotatable distributing shovel therein, of a casing actuating shaft, means connecting said casing actuating shaft with said casing, '21 motor, and a train of power transmitting devices interposed between said casing actuating shaft and said motor having in said train a friction driving device.

13. In a box car leader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotatable distributing shovel therein, of a casing actuating shaft, means connecting said casing actuating shaft with said casing, a motor, and a train of power transmitting devices interposed between said casing actuating shaft and said motor having in said train friction gearing adapted to rotate said casing actuating shaft in either direction.

14. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotatable distributing shovel therein, of a casing actuating shaft, means connecting said casing actuating shaft with said casing, 21 motor, a train of power transmitting devices interposed between said casing actuating shaft and said motor, and means operable from a point without the car when said casing is in working position within the car for controlling the operation of said train of power transmitting devices. 15. In a box ear loader, the combination with a rotatable casing and a rotary shovel therein, of a motor, a drive shaft interposed between said motor and said rotary shovel, a casing actuating shaft parallel with said drive shaft, an internal gear secured to said casing, a pinion connecting said actuating shaft with said internal gear, and power transmitting mechanism interposed between said casing actuating shaft and said drive shaft and operable at will to rotate said casing actuating shaft.

16. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing and a rotary shovel therein, of a motor, a drive shaft connecting said rotary shovel with said motor, a casing actuating shaft parallel with said drive shaft, power transmitting devices connecting said casing actuating shaft with said casing, a friction wheel on said casing actuating shaft, a rocking frame mounted on said drive shaft, two friction pulleys mounted on said rocking frame and each adapted to be swung with it in one direction into engagement with said friction pulley on the casing actuating shaft, gearing mounted on said rocking frame adapted to rotate said friction pinions in opposite directions, and a' gear adapted to connect said drive shaft with the gearing on said rocking frame.

17. In a box car loader, the combination of a wheel supported carriage adapted to move forward and back relative to a car, a rotatable casing mounted on the carriage, a rotary shovel within the said casing, a motor supported on the said carriage, power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and said rotary shovel, means for connecting said motor to said casing to rotate the latter and power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and the carriage wheels for actuating the carriage.

18. In a box car loader, the combination of a wheel supported carriage adapted to move forward and back relative to a car, a rotatable casing mounted on the carriage, a rotary shovel within the said casing, a motor supported on the said carriage, power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and said rotary shovel, power transmitting means including a friction drive interposed between said motor and said casing for actuating the latter and power transmitting means interposed between said motor and said carriage wheels controllable at will to cause the travel of the carriage in either direction.

is). In a box car loader, the combination of a wheel sup ported carriage adapted to move forward and back rela tive to a car, a rotatable casing mounted on the carriage, a rotary shovel within the said casing, a motor supported on the said carriage, power transmitting devices interposed bctween said motor and said rotary shovel, power transmitting means including separable friction elements interposed between said motor and said casing for actuating the latter power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and the supporting wheels of said carriage adapted to cause the travel of said carriage forward aml backward. and means operable at will for throwing into and out of operation said last described power transmittin means.

21). In a box car loader, the combination of a carriage having track engaging supporting wheels, a rotatable ma ierial receiving casing mounted on said carriage, a rotary material distributing shovel in said casing, a motor supported on the carriage, power transmitting devices inter posed between the said motor and said shovel, power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and said casing for rotating it, power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and supporting devices of said carriage. and means for throwing into and out of operation at will said last described power transmitting means.

21. In a box car loader, the combination of a carriage having track engaging supporting wheels, a rotatable material receiving casing mounted on said carriage, a rotary material distributing shovel in said casing, a motor sup ported on the carriage. power transmitting devices interposed between the said motor and said shovel, power transmitting devices interposed between said motor and said casing for rotating it, power transmitting devices in tel-posed between said motor and supporting devices of said carriage, means for throwing into and out of operation at will said last described power transmitting means, and means for throwing into and out of operation at will said power transmitting means between said motor and said casing.

:22. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a chute for directing material into said casing, and means for feeding material from said chute in a stream substantially of uniform thickness.

23. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to introduce material into said casing, and means arranged within said chute adapted to retard the flow of material along it and to feed the material to the said casing in a stream of a substantially uniform flow.

2- In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to initially receive the material to be introduced into said casing, and a material retarding and feeding mechanism arranged in said chute and adapted to retard the flow of material along the chute and to deliver it therefrom in substantially uniform charges and in a continuous stream.

25. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary material dis tributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to receive the coal and to direct it to said casing, and the two part feeding device for controlling the flow of coal through said chute and to the said casing, one of said parts being adapted to regulate the quantity of material fed to the casing and the other of said parts being adapted to retard the [low of coal immediately in advance of the first described part and to assist the said first described part in feeding the material along the chute in substantially uniform charges.

26. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotata- I ble material receiving, casing, and a rotary material distributing shovel therein, of a coal chute adapted to re- .ceive and direct the coal to the said casing, a rotary coal feeding mechanism arranged in said chute and adapted to feed the coal forward from it in a substantially uniform stream, and power transmitting devices'for actuating said rotary feeding mechanism.

27, In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary distributing shovel therein, of a coal chute adapted to receive and direct the coal to said casing, a coal feeding mechanism within said chute, arranged to automatically move up and down ,to accommodate itself to the size of the lumps of coal in the said chute and adapted to feed the coal forward from it in a substantially uniform stream, and power transmitting means for actuating said coal feeding mechanism.

28. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotata ble material receiving casing, and a rotary distributing shovel therein, ot a chute adapted to receive and direct the coal to said casing, of a feed regulator for the coal arranged in the said chute and comprising a transverse shaft carrying a series of spiders, and power transmitting means connected with said shaft for actuating it.

25). In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary distributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to receive and direct the coal to said casing, of a feed regulator for the coal arranged in the said chute and comprising a transverse shaft, a series of spiders adapted to be adjusted in any desired position thereon, and power transmitting means connected with said shaft for actuating it.

30. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable material receiving casing, and a rotary distributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to receive and direct coal to the said casing, a feed regulator arranged within said chute and adapted to feed the coal forward from it in a substantially uniform stream, and a gate arranged within said chute in advance of said feed regulator ajnd adapted to assist the said feed regulator in feedingforward the coal in a uniform stream.

31. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotata ble material receiving casing, and a rotary distributing shovel therein, of a chute adapted to receive and direct coal to the said casing, a feed regulator ar 'anged within said chute and adapted to feed the coal forward from it in a substantially uniform stream, and an adjustable gate arranged within said chute in advance of said feed regw lator, and adapted to prevent the coal from piling up on and clogging the said feed regulator.

32. In a box car loader, the combination of a casing adapted to receive material, a rotary shovel within the casing for distributing the material, means for rotating the shovel, power transmitting mechanism interposed be tween the shovel rotating means and the casing for turn ing the latter, a rocking frame carrying a part of the power transmitting mechanism and arranged whenmoved in one position to connect the said parts and when moved in another position to disconnect them, and means for rocking the frame arranged to yieldingly lock the casing against rotation when it is disconnected from the shovel rotating means, substantially as set forth.

In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing and a rotary shovel therein, of a power shaft for actuating said shovel, a casing-actuating shaft, power transmitting mechanism interposed between said casingactuating shaft and said power shaft, and means for rotating said power shaft.

34. In a box car loader, the combination with a movable carriage, a motor thereon, a rotatable casing on the carriage and a rotary shovel in the casing, of power transmitting mechanism interposed between said motor and said rotary shovel, and power transmitting mechanism interposed between said motor and said casing for rotating the latter.

35. In a box car loader, the combination of a rotatable casing, a rotary shovel in the casing, a rotary drive shaft for the shovel, a casingactuating shaft having its axis eccentric to the axis of said drive shaft, and spur gearing interposed between said casing-actuating shaft and said A for rotating said shovel, and means including a friction drive interposed between said shovel-rotating means and the casing for rotating the latter.

38. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing and a rotary shovel therein, of a drive shaft for the shove], an actuating shaft for the said casing, and power transmitting mechanism adapted to connect said casingactuating shaft to said drive shaft and including a friction wheel on said casing-actuating shaft, a rocking frame carrying a cooperating friction wheel, and gearing arranged between said last described friction wheel and the drive shaft.

39. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing, a rotary shovel therein, a drive shaft for the shovel, and an actuatingv shaft for the casing, of a friction wheel secured to said actuating shaft, a rocking frame, a friction wheel carried by said rocking frame and adapted to be thrown into engagement with the friction wheel on said casing-actuating shaft, power transmitting mechanism interposed between the friction wheel on the said rocking frame and the said drive shaft, and means for rocking the said frame.

40. In a box car loader, the combination with a rotatable casing", a rotary shovel therein, a drive shaft for the shovel, and an actuating shaft for the casing, of a friction wheel secured to said actuating shaft, a rocking frame, a friction wheel carried by said rocking frame and adapted to be thrown into engagement with the friction wheel on said casing-actuating shaft, power transmitting mechanism interposed between the friction wheel on the said rocking frame and the said drive shaft, and. means for rocking the frame to effect alternately the engagement of said friction wheels and the moving of the frame into engagement with the friction wheel on the casing-actuating shaft to oppose its rotation.

41. In a box car loader, the combination of a materialreceiving casing, a material distributer therein, a chute adapted to introduce material into said casing, and means for retarding the flow of material along said chute and for delivering it therefrom to the said casing in a substantially uniform stream.

42. In a box car loader, the combination of a material receiving casing adapted to be inserted within a car, a material distributer within said casing, a chute arranged to direct material to said casing, and means for retarding the flow of material along said chute and adapted to deliver it therefrom in substantially uniform charges.

43. In a box car loader, the combination with a material receiving casing adapted to be inserted into a car, and a material distributer in said casing, of a chute adapted to receive material and to direct it into said casing, and a materialretarding and feeding mechanism arranged in combination with said chute and adapted to retard the How of material along the chute and to deliver it therefrom in substantially uniform charges.

44. In a box car loader, the combination with a material receiving casing and a material distributer therein, of an inclined chute adapted to receive material and direct it while moving along the chute under the influence of gravity toward the casing, a feeding mechanism arranged near the lower end of said chute and adapted to feed material forward from it to the casing in a substantially uniform stream, and power transmitting devices for actuating said feeding mechanism.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILBUR S. MAYERS.

Witnesses C. D. FLEMIXG, C. L. Mumurmno. 

